Portable computing device microphone array

ABSTRACT

A directional microphone array which can be integrated into a case for a portable computing device. A microphone array board connects to a surface of a laptop computer, tablet computer or smart phone, which can be steered in the direction of a target source. An audio processing module (APM) is operably engaged with the array board to receive a first staged beamformed audio input from the array board, and process a second beamformed stage audio output.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/703,981, filed May 5, 2015, hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of directional audiosystems; in particular, a microphone array apparatus that is removablyattached to a mobile electronic device, such as a laptop computer.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of theinvention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

An object of the present invention is a microphone array apparatuscomprising an array surface that passes acoustic signals therethroughhaving an attachment means at a first edge and a second edge configuredto connect to a portion of an electronic device such that the arraysurface can be removably disposed on a substantially planar surface ofthe electronic device; and, a plurality of microphones disposed on asurface of the fabric array surface.

Another object of the present invention is a microphone array apparatuscomprising a housing configured to be selectively coupled to asubstantially planar surface of an electronic device such that aperimeter of the housing is configured to partially encompass thesubstantially planar surface of the electronic device, the housinghaving an interior surface and an exterior surface and at least oneaperture configured to pass acoustic signals therethrough; and, aplurality of microphones being coupled to a surface of the housing suchthat the plurality of microphones are operable to receive acousticsignals passed through the at least one aperture.

Yet another object of the present invention is a microphone arrayapparatus comprising a coupling mechanism configured to removably attachto a surface of an electronic device; an articulating mechanism coupledto the coupling mechanism; an array surface coupled to the articulatingmechanism such that the array surface may be selectively positioned inthe direction of a target audio source; and, a plurality of microphonesdisposed on the array surface.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent andimportant features of the present invention so that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood andso that the present contribution to the art can be more fullyappreciated. Additional features of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readilyutilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures forcarrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should berealized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures donot depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a microphone array and audio processingmodule according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3b is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus attachedto a laptop computer according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus attachedto a tablet computer according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure; and,

FIG. 5b is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus attachedto a smart phone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments are described herein to provide a detaileddescription of the present disclosure. Variations of these embodimentswill be apparent to those of skill in the art. Moreover, certainterminology is used in the following description for convenience onlyand is not limiting. For example, the words “right,” “left,” “top,”“bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner” and “outer” designate directions inthe drawings to which reference is made. The word “a” is defined to mean“at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specificallymentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a directionalmicrophone array integrated into a case for a portable computing device;and a flexible microphone array that can be removably attached to aportable computing device. Embodiments of the current disclosure enablea user to attach an array of microphones to an electronic device such aslaptop computers, tablet computers, digital video cameras, computermonitors, and smart phones. Audio input captured by the microphone arraymay be rendered as an audio output for applications such as helpinghearing impaired users improve hearing in classroom setting;

improving audio recording applications in crowded environments; and,enabling portable computing devices such as smart phones and tabletcomputers to capture high definition audio and render it live or todigital audio or video files.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 1 illustrates amicrophone array and audio processing module according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. The construction details of the invention asshown in FIG. 1 are, in a preferred embodiment, a microphone array 100comprised of an array surface 104 with surface mounted or embeddedmicrophones 102 and output circuitry 106. In an embodiment, arraysurface 104 is constructed of a printed circuit board with surfacemounted microphones 102. Array surface 104 may be constructed of othersubstrates with printed circuits, conductive wires, or other means toconnect the microphones 102 using wired or wireless techniques.Microphones 102 are typically mounted on a single side of array surface104. In an embodiment, microphones 102 may be arranged in a nestedcircle configuration with fractal-based spacing between the circles andmicrophones.

Sound captured by microphones 102 on the array surface 104 may be sentto an audio processing module (APM) 108 through an electrical bus 110.APM 108 is optional to the function of microphone array 100, and servesto perform audio processing functions such as time delay, second stagebeamforming, gain or volume control and audio filtering. APM 108 may beomitted from embodiments where these audio processing functions are notrequired by the commercial application in which microphone array 100 isapplied. APM 108 may be integral to or mounted on array surface 104, ormay be executed on an external processor of an electronic device; suchas a laptop computer, tablet computer or smart phone. In an embodiment,APM 108 includes a USB connection that provides DC power from a remotebattery source or other electrical power source and may also provide anaudio, video, programming, and or control interface to a laptop or othercomputing device. APM 108 may include an output connection interface fora listening headset and an additional audio output.

Other variations on this construction technique include, but are notlimited to, microphones connected using wired, wireless or opticalinterconnects, arranged in the same or similar geometric pattern andmounted on or in a host device; the main array board made of othermaterials, such as hard PCB or fabric with conductive wires or othersubstances to electrically connect the microphones to the electronicsmodule, power, and ground; other arrangements of microphones, such asequal, random, Golden Spiral, and Fibonacci spacing; and embodimentvariations that include vibration or sound absorbing layers of neoprenerubber or similar materials on top and/or bottom.

Other variations on this construction technique are anticipated,including but not limited to embedding APM 108 inside of other housingsor devices, such as using analog or digital electronics, including DSPs(digital signal processors), ASICs (application specific integratedcircuits), FPGA (field programmable gate arrays) and similartechnologies, to implement generally the same signal processing usingdigital devices as is being accomplished using analog and/or hybriddevices. Other variations on this construction technique further includethe use of wireless links to replace one or more cables; the use ofBluetooth for outputting audio and/or module control; use of a USBinterface for outputting audio and/or module control; the integration ofthe electronics contained in the audio processing module onto arrayboard 104.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a system diagram illustrating an embodiment ofthe present disclosure is shown. According to an embodiment, system 200captures sound from a target source, processes it to reduce soundsarriving from directions other than the acoustic corollary offield-of-view, and outputs the directional sounds for a user. In moredetail, still referring to FIG. 2, array apparatus 202 is selectivelycoupled to an electronic device. A plurality of microphones on arrayapparatus 202 capture acoustic signals from a target source. Acousticsignals are beamformed in single or multiple groups in a first stage ofbeamforming directly on an electrical bus into single or multiplechannels. In an embodiment, audio signals from the first stage ofbeamforming may be delivered to an audio processing module 204. Audioprocessing module 204 may be integral or external to microphone array202. In an embodiment, a pre-beamformed channel or channels may haveengineered time delay(s) applied and then the channels are processedagain in a second stage of beamforming executing on audio processingmodule 204 to accomplish or help to accomplish steering of the pick-uppattern (beam), signal cancellation, or signal separation. Linear orautomatic gain control (which may also include dynamic range control andsimilar amplitude filtering) and audio frequency filtering may then beapplied selectively prior to the directional audio being produced at anaudio output 206. Audio output device 206 may include line, microphone,headphone or wireless audio output, or may be incorporated into analogor digital audio and or video formats as an interface to an electronicdevice operably engaged with microphone array 202. Electronic devicescan include laptop computers, tablet computers, digital photo and videocameras, computer monitors, smart phones, or computer or othertelecommunications networks.

Other variations on this system include adding successive stages ofbeamforming; alternative orders of filtering and gain control; use ofreference channel signals to remove directional or ambient noises; useof time or phase delay elements to steer the directivity pattern; theuse of digital microphones and digital signal processing to accomplishthe same general technique; and the use of one or more signal separationalgorithms instead of or in addition to one or more beamforming stages.

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an embodiment,a microphone array apparatus 300 is comprised of an array surface 302constructed from a substantially stretchable or bendable fabric capableof passing acoustic signals therethrough; for example, neoprene, spandexblend, and the like. Array surface 302 may be folded or rolled forstorage, and unfolded or unrolled and selectively coupled to a portablecomputing device when in use.

Array surface 302 has a plurality of individually wired microphones 304woven or mounted onto array surface 302. Array apparatus 300 may haveone or more retention clips 306 capable of being selectively attached toa surface of an electronic device, such as a laptop computer. Retentionclips 306 may be substituted by any attachment means capable ofselectively coupling array surface 302 to a surface of an electronicdevice; for example, adhesive strips, hook-and-loop fasteners, magnets,and/or mechanical fittings, clamps and the like.

FIG. 3b is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus attachedto a laptop computer according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. According to an embodiment, array surface 302 is coupled tolaptop 314 by selectively coupling retention clips 306 to the edges ofan exterior surface of a display of laptop 314. A first stage ofbeamformed audio from microphones 304 may be communicated to an audioprocessing module 308 by an electrical bus 310. Audio processing module308 may communicate a second stage of beamformed audio to laptop 314through an output cable 312.

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an embodiment,a housing 400 is configured to be selectively coupled to an electronicdevice 408 by at least partially encompassing a portion of theelectronic device. In FIGS. 4a and 4b , housing 400 is configured to beselectively coupled to a tablet computer 410. Housing 400 can beconfigured to be selectively coupled to laptop computers, tabletcomputers, digital photo and video cameras, computer monitors, smartphones, and the like. Housing 400 has an interior surface (asillustrated in FIG. 4a ) and an exterior surface (as illustrated in FIG.4b ). A plurality of microphones 402 may be coupled to an interiorsurface of housing 400 comprising an array surface 408. Microphones 402may be individually wired and coupled directly to the interior surfaceof housing 400 to comprise array surface 408; or, microphones 402 may besurface mounted to a flexible printed circuit board coupled to interiorsurface of housing 400 comprising array surface 408.

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus attachedto a tablet computer according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. According to an embodiment, housing 400 has a plurality onapertures 404 configured to pass acoustic signals to the plurality ofmicrophones 402. Microphones 402 may be substantially aligned with theplurality of apertures 404 such that a user may steer housing 400 tocapture acoustic signals from a target source. Acoustic signals capturedby microphones 402 may be beamformed in a first stage of beamformingdirectly on an electrical bus into one or more channels and may becommunicated wirelessly or via an output connector to tablet computer410 or to an output device such as headphones. In an embodiment, audiosignals from the first stage of beamforming may be delivered to an audioprocessing module 406. Audio processing module 406 may be mounted onarray surface 408 as shown in FIG. 4a ; or may be internal to tabletcomputer in 410. Audio processing module 406 serves to perform audioprocessing functions such as time delay, second stage beamforming, gaincontrol and audio filtering; and may be omitted in commercialapplications where such processing functions are unnecessary oraccomplished by external processors.

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an embodiment,a housing 502 is configured to be selectively coupled to an electronicdevice 510 by at least partially encompassing a portion of theelectronic device. In FIGS. 5a and 5b , housing 502 is configured to beselectively coupled to a smart phone 410. Housing 502 can be configuredto be selectively coupled to laptop computers, tablet computers, digitalvideo cameras, computer monitors, smart phones, and the like. Housing502 has an articulating mechanism 504 coupled to an upper surface.Articulating mechanism 504 is configured to manipulate the position ofan array surface 506 in a range of about 180 degrees vertically andabout 180 degrees horizontally, such that array surface 506 may beselectively positioned (steered) in the direction of a target audiosource. A plurality of microphones 508 may be coupled to one or bothsides of array surface 506. Microphones 508 may be individually wiredand coupled directly to array surface 506; or, microphones 402 may besurface mounted to a printed circuit board coupled to array surface 506.

FIG. 5b is a perspective view of a microphone array apparatus attachedto a smart phone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.According to an embodiment, a user may steer array surface 506 in adirection of a target audio source such that microphones 508 mounted onarray surface 506 can capture acoustic signals from the target audiosource.

Acoustic signals captured by microphones 508 may be beamformed in afirst stage of beamforming directly on an electrical bus into one ormore channels and may be communicated wirelessly or via an outputconnector to smart phone 510 or to an output device such as headphones.In an embodiment, audio signals from the first stage of beamforming maybe delivered to an audio processing module 512. Audio processing module512 may be mounted on array surface 506 as shown in FIG. 5b ; or may beinternal to smart phone in 510. Audio processing module 512 serves toperform audio processing functions such as time delay, second stagebeamforming, gain control and audio filtering; and may be omitted incommercial applications where such processing functions are unnecessaryor accomplished by external processors.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims aswell as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention hasbeen described in its exemplary forms with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of has beenmade only by way of example and numerous changes in the details ofconstruction and combination and arrangement of parts may be employedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A microphone array apparatus comprising: ahousing configured to be selectively coupled to a substantially planarsurface of an electronic device such that a perimeter of the housing isconfigured to partially encompass the substantially planar surface ofthe electronic device, the housing having an interior surface and anexterior surface and at least one aperture configured to pass acousticsignals there through; and, a plurality of microphones being coupled tointerior surface of the housing to comprise an array surface such thatthe plurality of microphones is operable to receive acoustic signalspassed through the at least one aperture, the plurality of microphonesbeing arranged in a nested circle configuration with fractal-basedspacing between the circles and the microphones.
 2. The microphone arrayapparatus of claim 1 further comprising an audio processing moduleoperable to receive a first beamforming stage input from the pluralityof microphones and operable to execute a second beamforming stage toproduce an audio output.
 3. The microphone array apparatus of claim 1further comprising a printed circuit board coupled to the interiorsurface of the housing, wherein the plurality of microphones is coupledto a surface of the printed circuit board.
 4. The microphone arrayapparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of microphones are arrangedin a substantially fractal-based configuration.
 5. The microphone arrayapparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is selected from thegroup consisting of laptop computers, tablet computers, digital videocameras, computer monitors, and smart phones.
 6. The microphone arrayapparatus of claim 2 further comprising a bus operable to communicate afirst beamformed stage signal output to the audio processing module. 7.The microphone array apparatus of claim 2 wherein the audio processingmodule is further operable to perform time delay, gain control and audiofiltering.
 8. A microphone array apparatus comprising: a couplingmechanism configured to be removably attached to a surface of a smartphone or tablet computer by at least partially encompassing a portion ofthe smart phone or tablet computer; an articulating mechanism coupled tothe coupling mechanism; an array surface coupled to the articulatingmechanism such that the array surface may be selectively positioned inthe range of about 180 degrees vertically and about 180 degreeshorizontally in the direction of a target audio source; and, a pluralityof microphones comprising an array disposed on the array surface.
 9. Themicrophone array apparatus of claim 8 further comprising an audioprocessing module operable to receive a first beamforming stage inputfrom the plurality of microphones and operable to execute a secondbeamforming stage to produce an audio output.
 10. The microphone arrayapparatus of claim 8 wherein the electronic device is selected from thegroup consisting of laptop computers, tablet computers, digital videocameras, computer monitors, and smart phones.
 11. The microphone arrayapparatus of claim 9 wherein the audio processing module is executed onan internal processor of the electronic device.
 12. The microphone arrayapparatus of claim 9 further comprising a bus operable to communicate afirst beamformed stage signal output to the audio processing module. 13.The microphone array apparatus of claim 9 wherein the audio processingmodule is further operable to perform time delay, gain control and audiofiltering.